Best Luxury Hotels in Italy

This 5-star resort has taken pride of place on Marinella Beach in Porto Rotondo, since its inception in 1963. 59 bedrooms and suites are decorated with Sardinian and Mediterranean furnishings, marble from Orosei, Samugheo rugs and picture windows showcasing the stunning outlook. There are three dining options, two of which are in-house; Mediterraneo (serving family-friendly breakfasts and evening meals), Tzia Maria (for lunch and dinner) and the Marinella Beach Restaurant (for which guests receive a credit). The Lobby Bar accompanies drinks with live piano music, the Pool Bar for beverages, snacks and ice cream and the elegant Marinella Lounge Bar. Hotel Abi D’Oru also has an excellent spa and the Bee Happy Kids’ Club.

Take the helicopter flight from Olbia to arrive at Li Finistreddi’s private heliport in suitably exclusive style. The country retreat overlooks Costa Smeralda and the archipelago of La Maddalena from its hilltop perch. Every room here has main door access, sea views and Frette bed linens, with local materials and handiworks incorporated into the decor. A four-minute shuttle transfer takes guests staying here to the retreat’s private area of Barca Bruciata Beach, or guests can lounge by the pool and visit the spa. Dining takes place at Osteria Gourmet with its glass-fronted veranda overlooking the sea, and dishes crafted using produce from the resort’s own organic kitchen garden.

Adjacent to the Conca Verde Beach on the north coast, La Coluccia offers views across to Spargi island. This was one of Sardinia’s first boutique resorts, in a secluded spot, providing chic accommodation. Accommodation categories range from design rooms overlooking the garden or inner courtyard, through to suites with spacious living areas — many are accessible and cots can be provided. In the restaurant, a team of specialist chefs handcraft items such as bread and pasta and desserts, with food served overlooking the sea, on a terrace over the pool. The spa encompasses a relaxation area with herbal teas, massage cabins and a gym.

While Poetto beach is just minutes away, Palazzo Doglio is very much a city hotel, found in the historic centre of Cagliari. 72 bedrooms are bathed in natural light and feature precious Carrara marble. Created for both business and leisure, there are meetings rooms, a conference theatre and the Doglio Club provides Natura Bissé treatments. Osteria del Forte, a classic trattoria, has the esteemed Executive Chef Alessandro Cocco at the helm. Saudade is the Japanese-Brazilian eatery, Maiori is a contemporary pizzeria, the American Bar serves cocktails and Colonial is the new restaurant concept coming soon.

Named after the piazza in which it’s found, Palazzo Dipinto was once a 13th-century palace. Now it is an elegant design hotel. Bedrooms feature Italian made wooden parquet flooring, stylish furnishings in muted tones and spacious bathrooms. There isn’t a restaurant in-house, but there is a bar (in which breakfast is served), an inner courtyard and room service. And, bringing all of the senses into the experience, the hotel has its own scent, chosen in partnership with Acqua dell Elba, so guests staying at the boutique property, are welcomed with a delightful aroma, as well as a smile.

Offering superb views over Saint Martino’s Cathedral and many of the city’s monuments, the Grand Universe Lucca is a fusion of old and new. Its wall foundations date back to Roman times and there are the remnants of an ancient glassblower’s fountain in the cellar. But in terms of interior design, there’s plenty of contemporary flair, with luxe features such as modern glass chandeliers. Legacy Bistro Wine Bar is the hotel’s restaurant, while the Symphony Lounge pays subtle homage to Lucca’s musical connections. There’s also a stunning rooftop bar, Sommita, with wonderful views over the old town and Piazza del Giglio. And you can book a horse and carriage ride with canapes and aperitifs.

Another from the international NH brand, this property is found in the Quadrilatero Romano neighbourhood, surrounded by restaurants and bars. Torino Santo Stefano exudes rustic chic, blending style and comfort. 134 minimal, elegant bedrooms have wooden flooring, satellite TV, high-quality toiletries, soundproofing and minibars. The restaurant specialises in traditional Piedmont dishes, with an alfresco inner courtyard and a lounge bar, serving local wines. It’s an eco-conscious choice too, with stellar environmental certification and provides epic views from higher floors.

This used to be a Fiat factory – the car testing area that once featured in The Italian Job is now a jogging track – but the warehouse building has since been reimagined as a trendy hotel. In the Lingotto district, the NH branded property is right beside an entertainment complex and a short ride via metro to Turin’s centre. 240 modern rooms with high ceilings and workspaces are light and bright. Some have Alpine views and others come with kids’ toys. Pets are welcome too. The Turtle bar, Torpedo restaurant and tropical garden are the hotel’s food and drink outlets and those staying have free access to the Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli gallery.

Dating back to 1870, this palatial establishment has been completely remodelled to ensure plush, contemporary luxury within. Bedrooms come with Simmons pillow-top mattresses, anti-allergy pillows, 100% cotton and linen towels, free drinks in the minibar, bathrobes and slippers as standard, while high-end suites have French beds, large baths and terraces. Les Petite Madeleines is the Turin Palace’s glamorous restaurant and there’s an intimate spa area with hydrotherapy, a sensory shower, Kneipp Course, Turkish baths, a whirlpool and treatment rooms. Due to its centrality, this is a great choice if you want to experience the city on foot, without the need for public transport.

Surrounded by olive groves and beside the Salento Sea, Masseria Muzza boasts a beautiful countryside location. Decorated in classic Puglian style, 40 bedrooms and suites have a cool vibe, with much use of local stone and neutral tones. Some come with a futon in addition to beds and a private patio, and with a maximum occupancy of five per room. The hotel has three restaurants (Le Site, Mirto and La Limonaia), a spa, kids’ club, indoor and outdoor pools and a chic pool bar. Close to Otranto, there are many excursions to be enjoyed from here, like coastal kayaking, gourmet tours, sailboat trips, e-bike rides and horse treks.

Seated on the tranquil plains of the east coast close to Savelletri di Fasano, Masseria Cimino provides guests with pretty views of ancient olive groves and the Adriatic Sea. This is the perfect place to sample traditional Puglian cuisine in a stylish setting and guests who choose the half-board option will be treated to a hearty buffet each evening, while a special four-course dinner is served during the summer months. There are just fourteen spacious guestrooms set in the converted farmhouse as well as the tower and surrounding rural buildings. Guests who have a taste for the finer things in life should splash out on the Tower Suite, which comes complete with a cosy sitting room and a raised terrace where guests can soak up ocean views.

This enchanting Masseria San Domenico dates back to the 15th century and provides a luxurious retreat surrounded by lush palm tree-filled gardens. Guests are sure to enjoy wallowing in the large lagoon-style pool and indulging in a little pampering in the modern spa. The hotel can be found on the edge of the sleeping fishing town of Savelletri, while the ocean is just a 500-metre stroll away. There are forty spacious rooms to choose from here and by far the most luxurious is the San Domenico Suite, which boasts a raised patio that overlooks pretty olive groves and the ocean.